What Is Asperger Syndrome?
Asperger syndrome (AS) is a type of autism. Autism affects how a person interprets language, communicates, and socializes.
AS used to be considered its own condition, with its own diagnosis, but kids who show signs of AS are diagnosed with autism and are considered "on the autism spectrum." The term refers to a wide range of developmental disabilities. These disabilities can appear in different combinations with varying degrees of severity. General terms such as "low-functioning," "high-functioning," "autistic tendencies," "pervasive developmental disorder," and others are often used to describe children whose behaviors fall on the autism spectrum.
Kids with AS are generally considered to be on the "high-functioning" end of the autism spectrum. Boys are three to four times more likely than girls to have AS.
What Happens in AS?
AS is characterized by poor social interactions, obsessions, odd speech patterns, few facial expressions, and other peculiar mannerisms.
Often, kids with AS have trouble reading the body language of others. They might engage in obsessive routines and show an unusual sensitivity to sensory stimuli — for example, they may be bothered by a light that no one else notices; they may cover their ears to block out sounds in the environment; or they might prefer to wear clothing made of a certain material.
Overall, kids and teens with AS can function in everyday life, but tend to be somewhat socially immature, relate better to adults than peers, and may be seen by others as odd or eccentric.
Other characteristics of AS can include motor delays, clumsiness, limited interests, and peculiar preoccupations. Adults with AS have trouble showing empathy for others, and social interactions continue to be difficult.
Experts say that AS follows a continuous course and usually lasts a lifetime. However, symptoms might increase and decrease over time, and early intervention services can be helpful.
What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Asperger Syndrome?
Because the signs of AS can be similar to those of other behavioral problems, it's best to let a doctor or other health professional evaluate a child's symptoms. Many kids are diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) before a diagnosis of AS is made later.
A child with AS might have these signs and symptoms:
- inappropriate or minimal social interactions
- conversations that almost always revolve around self rather than others
- "scripted," "robotic," or repetitive speech
- a lack of "common sense"
- problems with reading, math, or writing skills
- obsession with complex topics, such as patterns or music
- average to below-average nonverbal cognitive abilities, though verbal cognitive abilities are usually average to above-average
- awkward movements
- odd behaviors or mannerisms
It's important to note that, unlike kids with autism, those with AS might show no delays in language development; they usually have good grammar skills and an advanced vocabulary at an early age. However, many do have a language disorder — for instance, a child might be very literal and have trouble using language in a social context.
Often there are no obvious delays in cognitive development. Kids with AS can have problems with attention span and organization, or skills that seem well developed in some areas and lacking in others, but they usually have average and sometimes above-average intelligence.
What Causes Asperger Syndrome?
Researchers and mental health experts are still investigating the causes of autism and AS. Brain abnormalities are thought to be one possible cause of AS, because structural and functional differences have been seen with advanced brain imaging.
Genetics might play a role, and research indicates that some cases of AS may be associated with other mental health problems such as depression and bipolar disorder.
AS is not caused by emotional deprivation or the way a child was brought up. Because some behaviors seen in AS may be thought of as intentionally rude by others, many people wrongly assume that AS is the result of bad parenting — it isn't. It's a neurobiological disorder whose causes are not yet fully understood.